Best Credit Cards for Startups in 2020

Getting a business credit card is one of the first things you should do when launching a startup.

In most cases, this credit card will be the primary method of paying company expenses. From daily purchases like ink or paper to flights, hotels, and your phone subscription, charging a credit card is your best option.

That’s because the best business credit cards offer exceptional benefits like cash back, rewards points, and travel miles.

Some company credit cards can provide purchase insurance as well as supplementary coverage for car rentals. You can even use a low-interest credit card to finance purchases if struggling to qualify for a small business loan.

With so many business credit cards to choose from, it can be tough to find the best option for your startup, which is what inspired me to create this guide.

The 8 Best Credit Cards For Startups in 2020

In a market flooded with hundreds of business credit cards, there are eight that I would recommend for startup companies.

• Chase Ink Business Cash
• Chase Ink Business Unlimited
• Capital One Spark Cash Select
• Capital One Spark Miles
• Capital One Spark Classic
• American Express Blue Business Plus
• American Express Blue Business Cash
• US Bank Business Platinum

I’ll highlight the top benefits, introductory offers, costs, and notable terms for each one as we continue below.

Best Startup Business Credit Card Reviews

Chase Ink Business Cash

Chase Ink Business Cash is the best overall credit card for startup companies. It has exceptional rewards, benefits, and an enticing sign up bonus.

• No annual fee
• $500 sign up bonus after spending $3,000 in first the three months

I like the Chase Ink Business Cash card because of the way its reward program is structured. You’ll get the most cash back for common startup expenses.

Chase gives you 5% cash back each year on office supplies, internet, phone services, and cable on the first $25,000 spent in those categories. You’ll also get 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on the first $25,000 in combined spending each year.

All other purchases earn 1% cash back with no limit.

Additional features and benefits of the Chase Ink Business Cash card include:

• Fraud protection
• Free employee cards with individual spending limits
• Travel and emergency assistance services
• Extended warranty protection
• Zero liability for unauthorized charges
• Purchase protection (covers new purchases against theft or damage for 120 days)
• Auto rental collision waiver

Between these benefits, the cash back program, sign up bonus, and no annual fee, Chase Ink Business Cash should be a top consideration for any startup company.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited

Chase Ink Business Unlimited is nearly identical to the Ink Business Cash card. The card offers the exact same benefits from fraud protection to the auto rental collision waiver in the bullet list above.

• No annual fee
• $500 sign up bonus after spending $3,000 in the first three months

While the benefits and card terms are the same between these two cards, the rewards structure is not.

Instead of offering various cash back percentages for different categories, Chase Ink Business Unlimited gives you 1.5% cash on everything. This is a better option for those of you who don’t want limitations or restrictions on the amount of cash back you can earn.

It all depends on the type of business you have.

For example, let’s say you’re planning to use a credit card to purchase things like inventory or other expenses that don’t fall into the Ink Business Cash rewards categories. In this scenario, Chase Ink Business Unlimited would be a better option for you.

Capital One Spark Cash Select

Capital One Spark Cash Select is another great option for earning cash rewards for all of your business expenses. The card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on everything you buy.

• No annual fee
• $200 sign up bonus after spending $3,000 in the first three months

The card is very similar to the Chase Ink Business Unlimited credit card. Chase does offer a better sign up bonus ($200 vs. $500) for spending the same amount in three months.

With that said, the Capital One Spark Cash Select card has its fair share of benefits.

• Dedicated business customer support
• Fraud alerts
• Free employee cards
• Payment flexibility (pick your monthly due date)
• Transaction details
• Itemized year-end summary
• Download purchase records into formats for QuickBooks and Quicken

For startup company credit cards, I typically lean towards cards with no annual fee.

But if you want more than 1.5% cash back, consider applying for the Capital One Spark Cash card instead. This gives you unlimited 2% cash back, but comes with a $95 annual fee (waived the first year).

Startups charging less money on their cards will be fine with the Spark Cash Select card.

Capital One Spark Miles

Some people would rather earn travel rewards instead of cash back. So if you’ll be traveling frequently for your startup company, Capital One Spark Miles is a top credit card to consider.

• $95 annual fee (waived the first year)
• 50,000 mile sign up bonus after spending $4,500 in first three months

As I mentioned earlier, I normally don’t recommend cards with annual fees to startup companies. But this one is easy to justify if you travel often.

50,000 miles is equal to $500 in travel. Considering that the annual fee is waived the first year, the sign up bonus alone makes up for the first six years using the card.

You’ll also earn unlimited 2x miles on all purchases. There are no blackout dates, seat restrictions, or minimums for redemption.

Other top benefits of the Capital One Spark Miles Card include:

• $100 credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
• Earn 5x miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• $0 fraud liability
• No foreign transaction fees
• Card lock

If you’re launching a startup that requires lots of business travel, this is the best card for you.

Capital One Spark Classic

To qualify for the best business credit cards, you’ll need to have excellent credit. But that’s not reasonable for all small business owners.

If you have a low credit score but still want access to credit card rewards, the Capital One Spark Classic will be your best option.

• No annual fee
• Unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases

While the card doesn’t come with a sign up bonus or low interest rates, you’ll still have access to some of Capital One’s top card benefits.

• No foreign transaction fees
• Download purchase records to Quicken and QuickBooks formats
• Auto rental damage waiver
• Extended purchase protection (90 days for eligible items)
• Fraud coverage and alerts
• Free employee cards

Overall, this is a no-frills business credit card. But it’s a great way to build your credit by using the card responsibly. Plus, you’ll still get 1% cash back on everything.

I’d apply for the Capital One Spark Classic if you can’t get approved for other business credit cards.

American Express Blue Business Plus

American Express has one of the best reputations in the credit card industry. For both personal credit cards and business credit cards, Amex is known for exceptional customer service.

If you’re launching a startup, your company should consider the American Express Blue Business Plus card as a top option.

The Amex Blue Business Plus card is great for those of you who want to earn rewards points, as opposed to cash back or travel miles.

You’ll get 2x membership rewards points on purchases in any category for your first $50,000 spent each year. After that, you can earn unlimited 1x points.

Amex gives you expanded buying power, with the ability to make business purchases above your spending limits without a penalty, although restrictions apply.

The card comes with account alerts, online statements, a detailed year-end summary, free employee cards, and one of the best business credit card mobile apps on the market today.

American Express customer service and dispute resolution are second to none. So if you prioritize great customer support, this card is perfect for you.

American Express Blue Business Cash

If you prefer cash back instead of reward points, consider applying for the American Express Blue Business Cash credit card.

The card terms are basically identical to the Amex Blue Business Plus card. The rewards structure is the biggest difference between the two cards.

With the Amex Blue Business Cash card, you can earn 2% cash back on your first $50,000 in purchases per year. After that, you’ll receive unlimited 1% cash back on everything else.

Other top benefits include:

• Expanded buying power
• Car rental loss and damage insurance
• Global hotline assistance
• Free employee cards
• Account manager access
• Amex Business mobile app
• Account alerts
• Vender pay via Bill.com
• Extended warranty protection for eligible purchases
• Purchase protection for eligible purchases

Overall, the American Express Blue Business Cash card is arguably the best free cash back business credit card on the market today.

US Bank Business Platinum

Sometimes a startup company needs to get creative with financing purchases. Certain small business loans have restrictions for what you can spend the funds on.

Credit card financing has become an alternative solution for small business owners. But to consider this, you’ll need to find a card with low-interest rates.

That’s when the US Bank Business Platinum card comes in handy.

The card definitely lacks quality rewards benefits. So I’d only consider it as an alternative financing method.

How to Choose the Best Credit Card For Your Startup Business

There are certain factors that must be taken into consideration when you’re evaluating business credit cards for your startup. This is the methodology that we used to come up with this guide.

Annual Fee

Most startup companies should look for credit cards with no annual fee. It’s crucial to save money everywhere possible when you’re first starting a business.

Seven of the eight cards on the list above are free. The only one you have to pay for is the Capital One Spark Miles card. But the fee is just $95 per year, waived in year one, and easy to justify for frequent travelers.

Exclusive business credit card fees can range above $500. While you may consider those down the road, I’d steer clear of them in the early stages of your business.

Interest Rates

You should always aim to pay your credit card balance in-full each month. But sometimes cash is tight for startups, so you might have to finance a few purchases.

Look for a credit card offering 0% APR for purchases in your first year. Aim to pay those off before you start incurring additional interest fees.

A low-interest credit card might have cheaper rates than certain business loans. So take that into consideration before making large purchases.

Credit Score

When launching a startup, your personal credit score will be used when you apply for a credit card. That’s because new businesses don’t have any credit records on file.

A high score will give you access to better cards with lower interest rates and top rewards.

However, not everyone falls into this category. If your credit score is below average, there are certain cards that you should be applying for instead. The Capital One Spark Classic is a great example.

Rewards

Credit card rewards usually come in one of the following three formats:

• Cash back
• Membership points
• Miles

I’d recommend cash back rewards cards for most startup companies. The cards on this list range from 1% to 5%. Some have restrictions on how much cash back you can earn, while others are unlimited for all purchases.

A rewards program with miles is ideal if you need to travel often for business purposes. Otherwise, cash back is just fine.

Benefits

Every credit card has a wide range of perks and benefits.

From a sign up bonus to purchase protection and fraud alerts, the list varies by card type and card company. You’ll just have to figure out which benefits are best for your spending habits.

For example, no foreign transaction fees and auto rental waiver insurance shouldn’t win you over if you never rent a car and don’t make purchases in foreign currencies.

Conclusion

Startup companies have unique needs compared to well-established businesses. There are certain credit cards that are ideal for newer small businesses.

Here’s a recap of the top eight that I’d recommend.

• Chase Ink Business Cash
• Chase Ink Business Unlimited
• Capital One Spark Cash Select
• Capital One Spark Miles
• Capital One Spark Classic
• American Express Blue Business Plus
• American Express Blue Business Cash
• US Bank Business Platinum

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Best Online Business Banking for 2020

What makes a great bank for business purposes?

In today’s day and age, your bank needs to have online banking capabilities. There are online-only banks as well as physical branches offering online banking services.

While most banks today have some type of online portal, not all of these are created equal.

The best business checking accounts have dozens of online features, like mobile deposits, digital bill pay, and fraud alerts.

You’ll also need to consider other banking products that you can access online. I’m referring to things like business savings accounts, merchant services, credit cards, and small business loans.

Whether you run a startup or a multi-million dollar well-established corporation, I’ll show you the best online business banking solutions to fit your needs.

Top 10 Online Business Banking Accounts For 2020

There are hundreds of different online business bank accounts on the market today. But these are the top ten that I recommend:

• Novo
• Axos Bank
• Chase Bank
• TIAA Bank
• US Bank
• Navy Federal Credit Union
• Azlo
• Radius Bank
• Citizens Bank
• First Internet Bank

I’ll highlight the type of online accounts offered, prices, benefits, and other online banking solutions for each one below.

The Best Online Business Banking Reviews

Novo

If you’re a small business owner, freelancer, or entrepreneur seeking an online-only business banking solution, look no further than Novo.

Novo is a modern and simple way to handle your business banking needs. Here’s an overview of top features and benefits of this online bank:

• No monthly service fees
• Refunds at all ATMs
• Free incoming and outgoing ACH transfers
• Free domestic and foreign wires
• Free mailed bank checks
• No minimum balance requirement

It takes less than ten minutes to apply for a Novo online business bank account. You need just $50 to open an account.

Novo has an outstanding mobile app that lets you handle all of your business banking needs on the go. It integrates with business tools that you’re already using, like Slack, Xero, and Zapier.

You’ll also benefit from discounts on business tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, Zendesk, Google Cloud, and Stripe.

Overall, Novo is a basic online-only bank for business owners seeking simplicity. But it does lack other banking tools beyond a checking account.

Axos Bank

Axos Bank is another top online-exclusive business bank. But unlike Novo, Axos features a suite of business banking solutions, including multiple account types and additional services.

• Basic Business Checking
• Business Interest Checking
• Business Premium Savings
• Business Money Market
• Business Savings
• Business Certificate of Deposit (CDs)
• Certificate of Deposit and Registry Service (CDARS)

Axos also offers treasury management solutions to streamline your payment processing. They provide additional merchant services like POS terminals, mobile commerce, and PCI compliance.

You’ll need at least $1,000 to open an Axos business checking account.

Your account comes with 200 free transactions per month. There are no monthly maintenance fees, and you’ll have access to a surcharge-free ATM network.

Axos has everything you’d expect from an online business banking solution, including a mobile app with remote check deposit capabilities.

But like any online-only bank, this isn’t for businesses that need to deposit cash.

Chase Bank

Chase Bank has some of the best business banking solutions on the market today. They have physical bank branches in addition to the online banking services.

Here’s an overview of the three different business checking accounts offered by Chase. All three of these can be opened and managed online.

Chase Total Business Checking

• $15 monthly service fee
• Unlimited electronic deposits
• $5,000 free cash deposits per billing cycle
• 100 free transactions per month

The $15 service fee is waived if you maintain a daily balance of $1,500. If you link a personal Chase checking account to your business account, the combined balance counts towards this minimum.

Chase Performance Business Checking

• $30 monthly service fee
• Unlimited incoming wires and electronic deposits
• 250 free transactions per month
• $20,000 free cash deposits per billing cycle
• Two free outgoing domestic wires per cycle

The $30 service fee is waived by maintaining a $35,000 minimum daily balance in qualifying business deposit accounts.

Chase Platinum Business Checking

• $95 monthly service fee
• 500 free transactions per month
• $25,000 free cash deposits per billing cycle
• Four free outgoing wires per cycle (your most expensive ones)

Chase will waive the $95 service fee if you maintain a daily balance of $100,000 or more between qualifying business deposit accounts.

As you can see, Chase has an online business checking account for businesses of all different shapes and sizes. It’s easy to determine which Chase business account is best for you based on the minimum balance requirements and free cash deposits per month.

In addition to checking accounts, Chase also has some of the best business credit cards on the market today. You’ll also benefit from merchant services and online business lending solutions if you need them.

TIAA Bank

TIAA Bank is a top option for those of you looking for an online-exclusive business banking solution. They offer checking accounts and treasury services for commercial businesses, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

If you’re a single-owner LLC or sole proprietor, you can get a high-yield small business checking account. As of February 2020, the intro APY rate is 1.21% for the first year.

Here’s a quick overview of the key features for each TIAA Business Checking account:

Business Checking

• $1,500 minimum to open
• 200 free transactions per month
• Ten free online bill payments per month
• $14.95 monthly maintenance fee (waived with $5,000 daily balance)

Small Business Checking

• $1,500 minimum to open
• No monthly maintenance fee
• Free ATM reimbursements up to $15 per month (unlimited with $5,000 daily balance)
• High yield on all balances

Nonprofit Checking

• $1,500 opening deposit minimum
• Interest-bearing checking
• Overdraft protection
• $14.95 monthly maintenance fee (waived with $5,000 minimum daily balance)

Analysis Checking

• Two different types of accounts available
• Interest-bearing checking
• $1,500 minimum opening deposit
• Offset fees with earnings credit rate

While TIAA Bank does offer a wide range of checking account types, I wish the nonprofit monthly maintenance fee was waived regardless of the balance.

The best account here is the high-interest checking account for sole proprietors and single-member LLCs.

US Bank

US Bank is a national chain with 3,000+ branches and more than 4,800 ATMs throughout the country. In addition its online banking solutions, you’ll be able to do some in-person banking if your business needs to make cash deposits.

There are four different business checking accounts offered by US Bank. All of which have online banking capabilities.

Silver

• No monthly fee
• $5 paper statement fee
• 125 free transactions per month ($0.50 per transaction after)
• 25 free units of cash deposits per month

The US Bank Silver business checking account is simple and made for startups and small businesses.

Gold

• $20 monthly fee (waived with qualified balances)
• Free paper statements
• 300 free transactions per month ($0.45 per transaction after)
• 100 free units of cash deposits per month
• Interest-bearing

The Gold business checking account is for small to mid-sized businesses with moderate transaction volumes.

Platinum

• $30 monthly fee (waived with qualified balances)
• 500 free transactions per month ($0.40 per transaction after)
• 200 free units of cash deposits per month

US Bank’s Platinum business checking account rewards business owners with higher balances.

Premium

The Premium account is unique. It’s an analyzed account; meaning fees can be offset by credits from your account activity. It’s unclear on the website what those fees, credits, and activity would be. But the account is made for larger organizations with high checking balances and lots of activity. You’ll need to contact US Bank directly for more information.

In addition to these four online checking accounts, US Bank also provides small business loans, credit cards, and merchant services. You’ll have access to everything you’d expect from a national bank.

Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Federal is another national chain with physical branches in addition to online business banking. Business owners with ties to the US Armed Forces, National Guard, and DoD can open an online checking account with Navy Federal Credit Union.

They offer business checking, business savings, and CDs. Here’s an overview of Navy Federal’s three business checking accounts:

Business Checking

• Best for new businesses with limited cash flow activity
• No monthly maintenance fee
• Two signers
• 30 free non-electronic transactions per month ($0.25 per transaction after)

Business Plus Checking

• Best for growing businesses with multiple owners
• $8 monthly service fee (can’t be waived)
• Accommodates steady banking activity
• 50 free non-electronic transactions per month ($0.25 per transaction after)

Business Premium Checking

• Best for large businesses with high deposit balances
• $20 monthly fee (waived with average daily balance of $5,000)
• Great for large transaction volumes
• 100 free non-electronic transactions per month ($0.25 per transaction after)
• Up to 0.45% APY (based on balance)

I’d recommend Navy Federal online banking to business owners who are seeking a small business loan. Navy Federal has some of the best interest rates and approval rates on the market today. So you can get your checking account and loan from the same bank while managing everything online.

Azlo

If you’re a freelancer or launching a startup, Azlo is a top online-exclusive business bank to consider. It’s only a viable option if you’re not accepting cash.

Highlights of an Azlo business banking account include:

• No monthly fees
• No overdraft fees
• No minimum balance requirements
• Unlimited transactions
• No incoming wire fees

Azlo integrates with business tools like Square, Stripe, and QuickBooks.

You can deposit checks remotely with Azlo’s intuitive mobile app. You’ll also be able to create, send, and manage digital invoices to your clients through the Azlo platform. This is ideal for clients who want to pay via bank transfer.

If you’re looking for an online bank that offers loans, savings accounts, and other banking services, Azlo is not for you.

Radius Bank

Radius Bank has a wide range of online business banking solutions. Here’s a quick list of the online services you’ll have access to with a Radius business account:

• Four different business checking accounts
• Money market savings
• CDs and CDARS
• Statement savings accounts
• SBA loans
• Commercial real estate loans
• Equipment financing
• Credit cards
• Escrow services
• Nonprofit services

As you can see, Radius offers everything you could possibly need and more from an online business bank.

One standout is the Tailored Checking account, which is made for growing businesses. Tailored accounts come with:

• Unlimited transactions
• 0.75% APY for balances above $5,000
• Unlimited transactions
• $10 monthly fee (waived with balances over $5,000)
• No minimum balance requirements ($100 to open)
• Free ATM network worldwide

You can apply online in less than ten minutes without uploading any documents. Between the online services and mobile banking tools, Radius Bank is a top choice to consider.

Citizens Bank

Citizens Bank is a top choice for business owners that want access to lots of different online banking solutions. Furthermore, Citizens has 1,100+ branches and 3,100+ ATMs (mostly on the east coast). So it’s a good option for those of you with in-person banking needs as well.

Let’s take a closer look at the company’s business checking accounts:

Clearly Better Business Checking

• Best for small businesses with moderate account activity
• No monthly fee
• No minimum opening deposit
• 200 free transactions per billing cycle ($0.50 per transaction after)

Business Advisor Checking

• Best for businesses with higher account activity
• $25 monthly fee (waived with $10,000 average daily balance)
• No minimum opening deposit
• 500 free transactions per billing cycle ($0.30 per transaction after)

Citizens Analysis Business Checking

• Best for large businesses that need ACH, transfers, wires, and cash management
• $20 monthly fee (can’t be waived, but can be offset with earnings credits)
• No minimum opening deposit
• Custom transactions (must speak to a representative for details)

In addition to these checking accounts, Citizen offers credit cards, investing options, business benefits, healthcare banking, and a wide variety of business resources. Large organizations will have access to commercial banking solutions as well.

First Internet Bank

As the name implies, First Internet Bank is an online-only bank. There are three different types of banking solutions offered by this bank.

• Small business checking
• Commercial checking
• Business savings and CDs

Overall, the commercial checking accounts stand out the most.

Lots of online-only banks on the market today are geared towards startups and small business owners. But First Internet Bank has a wide range of banking services for large organizations and enterprises.

Businesses opening a commercial checking account will benefit from features like:

• Dedicated business banking experts
• Treasury management services
• Merchant services
• Sweep services
• Wire services
• Zero balance accounts

Contact First Internet Bank to ask about a custom business banking solution to meet the needs of your large organization.

How to Find the Best Online Business Bank Account For You

All of the online banks on our list won’t be a viable solution for your business. You’ll need to narrow down your options based on certain factors. This is the methodology that we use here at Quick Sprout to find the best online bank for you.

Business Type

You can start by narrowing down your choices based on the size and structure of your organization. Some online banking accounts are geared towards startups, sole proprietors, and freelancers. Others are designed for small businesses to mid-sized and larger organizations.

For example, if you have a small business with three locations and 30 employees, you can immediately eliminate the accounts designed for freelancers and single-member LLCs.

Fees

Lots of online business bank accounts come with monthly fees. Some banks do offer free banking, and others let you waive the monthly fee by maintaining a minimum daily balance.

Unlike personal checking accounts, business accounts typically come with monthly transaction limits. You might have to pay up to $0.50 per transaction once you exceed those limits.

Regardless of your situation, you can find a way to avoid these fees by finding an account that falls within your banking activity.

Checking Accounts and Banking Solutions

What do you want to get out of your online bank? You’ll need a checking account, at a minimum.

But the day might come when you’ll need access to other banking solutions.

• Business savings accounts
• Business CDs and CDARS
• Merchant services
• Business loans
• Business credit cards

It’s easier to get all of this under one roof, as opposed to searching for another bank at a later time.

In-Person Banking Availability

Online-exclusive banking isn’t for everyone. If you have physical store locations that accept cash, you’ll need the ability to deposit those funds at a branch.

Banks like Chase, US Bank, Citizens Bank, and Navy Federal Credit Union all have branches for in-person business banking. Just verify that there is a branch in your area.

Mobile Accessibility

Part of being a great online bank means having an excellent mobile app. The majority of your online banking activity can be done from the palm of your hand.

Mobile apps are used for things like remote check deposits. But you’ll want an app that goes beyond this basic feature. All of the banks on our list have modern and efficient mobile apps for your business banking needs.

Conclusion

Here’s a recap of the ten best online business banking solutions on the market today:

• Novo — Simple online-only business checking account with no hidden fees.
• Axos Bank — Online-exclusive bank with interest-bearing checking solutions.
• Chase Bank — Best online business checking accounts for businesses of all sizes.
• TIAA Bank — Best high-interest checking for sole proprietors and single member LLCs.
• US Bank — National bank with four online checking accounts and banking services.
• Navy Federal Credit Union — Best online banking for business owners with ties to the Armed Forces, National Guard, and DoD.
• Azlo — Best online-only business bank for freelancers.
• Radius Bank — Best online banking solution for growing businesses.
• Citizens Bank — No minimum balance requirements and free checking available.
• First Internet Bank — Best online commercial checking account for complex business banking needs and high transaction volumes.

I purposely included banks for all types of businesses on here. From freelancers to enterprises, and everything in between, I know you can find what you’re looking for on this list.

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Best Business Insurance for 2020

Hopefully, you’ll never have to use your business insurance. But just like car insurance or health insurance, protecting your business from unexpected situations is crucial.

However, 44% of small business owners don’t have insurance.

This statistic is shocking. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, your company could potentially go bankrupt if something goes wrong, and you’re forced to pay out of pocket.

Any business with employees needs to carry workers’ compensation insurance and unemployment insurance, at a minimum. But depending on your business type and industry, you’ll also want to consider getting general liability insurance, commercial property insurance, and professional liability insurance.

But finding the best business insurance goes beyond getting the right policy. Getting insured through the right company makes a huge difference.

From filing a claim to getting assistance with your agent or adjuster, service definitely varies from company to company. Some business insurance companies specialize in specific industries, such as retail, restaurants, or tech. Other companies concentrate on certain types of coverage, like commercial auto or workers’ compensation.

Top 10 Best Business Insurance Companies For 2020

The best business insurance policies offer a wide range of basic coverage. Ideally, you’d like to get a policy covering all of your needs under one roof.

After reviewing and researching dozens of business insurance companies, we narrowed down the top ten for you to consider.

• The Hartford
• Travelers
• State Farm
• Chubb
• Progressive
• Liberty Mutual
• AmTrust Financial
• Founder Shield
• Farmers Insurance
• Allstate

Our list is based on factors like coverage offered, premium pricing, and customer service. Use this guide to find the best business insurance company for you.

The Best Business Insurance Reviews

The Hartford

The Hartford is the best overall business insurance company on the market today. Covering businesses of all different shapes and sizes, The Hartford has everything you could possibly need.

For over 200 years, this company has been providing insurance solutions to businesses across the country. They’ve also made the list of the World’s Most Ethical Companies 11 different times.

The Hartford offers a wide range of business insurance policies, including:

• General liability insurance
• Commercial property insurance
• Business income insurance
• Professional liability insurance
• Data breach insurance
• Commercial umbrella insurance
• Commercial auto insurance

From a bodily injury on one of your properties to stolen inventory, fires, or floods, The Hartford has you covered.

It’s easy for you to bundle different types of insurance with add-ons to a single policy. You can apply online to get a quote in minutes.

The Hartford is known for providing exceptional service to its business customers during the claims process. You can’t go wrong by getting a quote from an industry leader in business insurance.

Travelers

Travelers is another giant in the world of business insurance. The company covers a wide range of industries, including construction, finance, manufacturing, retail, technology, and more.

With more than 30,000 employees and roughly 13,500 independent agents and brokers, Travelers insures businesses across the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the UK.

This insurance company has been around for more than 160 years.

In addition to industry-specific policies, Travelers provides lots of different coverage types. Some of the most popular Travelers business insurance solutions cover:

• General liability
• Workers’ compensation
• Management and professional liability
• Cyber liability
• Commercial auto and trucking
• Surety bonds
• Environmental liability
• Boiler and machinery
• Excess casualty and umbrella

With that said, the workers’ compensation insurance policies from Travelers really stand out the most. More than 500,000 businesses trust Travelers for workers’ comp insurance.

Whether you’re a small local business or national organization with employees across multiple states, Travelers is a top choice to consider for workers’ compensation and general liability.

State Farm

State Farm is typically associated with home insurance and car insurance. They are best known for providing excellent customer service at affordable rates to their customers.

This service and reliability definitely applies to their business insurance plans as well.

State Farm has policies designed specifically for small business owners:

• Business owners policy
• Professional liability
• Commercial liability umbrella
• Workers’ compensation
• Individual health
• Business and commercial auto
• Small business life

With State Farm, it’s easy for you to adjust your coverage as your company grows. Your agent will work with you to understand the needs of your scaling small business. This will ensure that your coverage limits are appropriate for the business size.

From the startup stage all the way until a company sale or change of ownership, State Farm has everything a small business owner needs to protect themself from the unexpected.

Chubb

Chubb is second to none when it comes to taking care of their insureds. This insurance company has a reputation for providing “white glove” service and paying out claims quickly, without any hassle.

Chubb has business insurance coverages that aren’t offered by other companies on the market today. In addition to general liability and workers’ compensation, Chubb has business insurance packages in the following categories:

• Accident and health
• Cyber
• Environmental
• Excess and surplus
• Global casualty
• International solutions for mid-sized companies
• Management liability
• Marine
• Medical liability
• Product recall
• Professional liability
• Railroad liability
• Surety
• Trade credit and political risk

As you can see, the list includes some rare and unique coverage options that we haven’t really seen from other providers in this guide.

Between Chubb’s excellent customer service and wide range of coverage options, you can expect to pay a little bit more on your business insurance premiums.

Chubb is best for businesses in need of international coverage. So if you’re traveling for work or making transactions outside of the US, consider Chubb for your insurance needs.

Progressive

Like most insurance companies, Progressive has several different business insurance policies and coverage types. They provide general liability insurance, professional liability, cyber insurance, workers’ compensation, and business owner’s policy.

With that said, Progressive’s specialty is commercial auto insurance.

• Truck insurance
• Pickup truck insurance
• Van insurance
• Box truck insurance
• Tow truck insurance
• Cars and SUVs
• Commercial trailers

More than one million commercial vehicles in the United States are insured by Progressive. Basically, any vehicle used for business purposes can get insurance protection from Progressive.

As the country’s most popular business auto insurance company, the rates are actually pretty affordable. Progressive’s average commercial customer pays $165 per month for business auto. You’ll even get 15% off if you pay your premiums in advance.

In addition to the coverage provided by Progressive, the company will be there when you need them. Adding a driver, vehicle, or changing a policy is quick and easy. Progressive has 24/7 commercial auto service.

Progressive’s claim experts will help get your vehicles back on the road as soon as possible to limit business interruptions in the event of an accident.

If your company has vans, trucks, drivers, or any vehicles on the road for business purposes, Progressive will be a top choice for business auto insurance.

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual is another well-known name in the insurance industry. The company provides small business insurance coverage as well as mid-to-large size business protection. Liberty Mutual even insures Fortune 500 corporations.

With more than 50,000 employees and 800+ offices throughout the world, Liberty mutual is a top provider of preferred property and casualty business insurance.

Some of the top coverage options include:

• Equipment breakdown insurance
• Excess liability insurance
• General liability insurance
• Inland marine
• Ocean marine
• Property
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Umbrella
• Third-party administration
• Workers’ compensation

Liberty Mutual works with a wide range of industries as well. But overall, it’s one of the best insurance providers for companies in manufacturing and agriculture.

From product recalls to errors and omissions coverages, Liberty Mutual can customize your policy to protect your employees, customers, and business from unforeseen circumstances.

AmTrust Financial

AmTrust Financial isn’t as well-known as some of the other insurance companies on our list. It’s definitely not a household name State Farm or Liberty Mutual. The company isn’t nearly as old as The Hartford or Travelers either.

In fact, AmTrust Financial was born less than 25 years ago, in 1998.

With that said, the company has grown quickly. They currently have 7,000+ employees serving over 70 countries.

AmTrust Financial isn’t trying to compete with the biggest insurance providers on the planet. Instead, they are focusing on niche solutions in the following industries:

• Financial institutions
• Nonprofit organizations
• Restaurants
• Transportation

Overall, the best coverage offered is for restaurant business insurance.

AmTrust understands the unique risks associated with owning a restaurant. They’ll help you get a policy to protect your workers as well as your customers.

Some of the popular restaurant enhancement coverages include:

• Spoilage
• Foodborne contamination
• Stock sales price (including liquor and fine wine)
• Peak season
• Umbrella limits
• Liquor liability

AmTrust Financial covers family-style and fine dining restaurants meeting certain eligibility requirements. They also work with delis, cafes, and pizzerias.

With that said, not every restaurant will qualify for coverage. For example, new restaurants with a large bar area operating in a 25-year-old building would need to look elsewhere.

Founder Shield

Founder Shield is another new and lesser-known company. They have only been providing insurance coverages for less than ten years.

But similar to AmTrust, Founder Shield is carving out a niche in the world of business insurance.

Founder Shield specializes in providing coverage to tech startups. Popular coverage categories include:

• Crime insurance
• Cyber insurance
• Intellectual property insurance
• Directors and officers insurance
• Fiduciary liability insurance
• Representations and warranties insurance
• Key person insurance
• Product liability
• Pollution insurance

You’ll also find that Founder Shield offers more traditional business insurance coverage for general liability, workers’ compensation, and umbrella insurance.

Founder Shield is a more modern way to get insurance. The purchasing process is 100% digital. This means there is less paperwork, and it’s easy to manage everything online.

If your company is a high-growth startup in the technology industry, consider getting a quote from Founder Shield.

Farmers Insurance

Farmers is an industry leader for home, auto, and life insurance. But it’s also a top choice to consider for business owners.

The company has been around for nearly 100 years. So you know that you’ll be getting quality service from a well-established name. They have a network of 48,000 agents and 21,000 employees across all 50 states.

Farmers Insurance provides business coverage in the following categories:

• Property
• Liability
• Crime
• Auto
• Workers’ compensation
• Umbrella
• Life
• Loss control

While Farmers covers a wide range of industries, I’d recommend it to business owners in retail. You’ll be able to get an affordable policy to protect you from things like theft, injuries, and loss of income.

This is an ideal solution for boutique shop owners, dry cleaners, florists, and salons.

Allstate

Allstate is best known for offering car insurance to individuals. While business insurance isn’t necessarily Allstate’s specialty or primary focus, there are certain industries and business types that should consider this carrier.

The company provides a high level of customer service with friendly agents and fully customizable plans.

Allstate has coverage solutions across nearly every industry, including professional firms, healthcare, service businesses, retail goods, and food service.

Top insurance coverages from Allstate include:

• Business property
• Business liability

Since all of the policies are customized, you can add specific types of coverage to your plan when you get a quote. Needs will vary based on business and industry.

Some unique standouts from Allstate include their real estate coverage and business insurance for rental services.

Allstate has been providing insurance since 1931. So you know that you’re getting coverage from a trusted and well-established name in the insurance world.

How to Find the Best Business Insurance Company For You

With so many companies providing business insurance, you’ll need to learn how narrow your options down. There are certain factors that must be taken into consideration when you’re evaluating an insurance provider.

This is the methodology that we use and recommend. You can use these same factors when searching for the best business insurance.

Coverage Types

Determine what type of coverage you need and find a company that can meet those policy requirements. Most insurance companies will offer the same basic types of coverage.

• General liability insurance
• Workers’ compensation insurance
• Commercial property insurance
• Professional liability insurance

But some companies specialize in certain coverages. For example, Progressive is the best for commercial auto insurance. Other companies offer unique coverage for things like cyber liability, intellectual property insurance, or international services.

So if your company needs rare or specialized coverage, make sure you discuss those needs with an agent. The last thing you want is to be underinsured.

Company Reputation

I tend to lean towards companies that have been in business for a long time. The Hartford and Travelers have been around for 200+ and 160+ years, respectively.

Lots of other insurance providers on our list have been around for roughly 100 years as well.

These companies have seen it all. They understand everything there is to know about the insurance industry, and your claim won’t surprise them. Plus, a well-established company has stood the test of time. You know that natural disasters won’t bankrupt them, so your policy is safe.

There are some newer insurance companies, like AmTrust and Founder Shield, that provide unique solutions for niche industries.

Getting a policy through one of those providers definitely has some risk. But it can still be a viable option if you’re looking for rare or specialized coverages.

Claims Process

Having business insurance is like having a good lawyer. You hope you never have to use it. But when something comes up, you want to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

The best business insurance companies have an easy claims process. Depending on your preferences, you can file a claim online or over the phone in minutes.

An adjuster will be highly responsive and settle the claim as fast as possible.

If one of your company vehicles is involved in an accident or a piece of equipment breaks during a flood, you don’t want operations to be stalled because of the insurance company dragging their feet.

Costs

Price is obviously a top consideration when evaluating business insurance.

Weigh the cost of your monthly and annual premiums against the amount of coverage you’re getting in a policy.

Always shop around for business insurance. Get quotes from a handful of providers to get a better sense of the market. You can potentially use one quote as leverage to lower another one. These companies want your business, so there could be some room for negotiation.

Just know that some insurance providers, like Chubb, will usually have higher prices for their policies.

Customer Service

Customer service goes a long way in the insurance industry. Aside from renewing or updating your policy, it’s generally not good news if you need to contact your insurance provider.

During these difficult and stressful times, it’s important that you receive excellent customer service. You want someone to answer the phone as opposed to going through ten minutes of speaking to a robot, followed by another 45 minutes on hold.

The best business insurance companies understand your needs at every level. From the sales agent to the adjuster and claims department, great service will make your life much easier.

Conclusion

If you’re shopping for a business insurance quote, look no further than these ten companies:

• The Hartford — Best overall business insurance company.
• Travelers — Best insurance company for workers’ compensation.
• State Farm — Best for small business insurance.
• Chubb — Best business insurance for international coverage.
• Progressive — Best for commercial auto insurance.
• Liberty Mutual — Best business insurance for manufacturing and agriculture.
• AmTrust Financial — Best business insurance for restaurants.
• Founder Shield — Best business insurance for tech startups.
• Farmers Insurance — Best small business retail insurance.
• Allstate — Best for rental services and real estate agents.

No matter what type of business you have or what industry you’re in, you can find what you’re looking for on this list. From startups to small businesses and national chains, these insurance providers can handle all of your coverage needs.

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3 Options for Domain Registration in 2020

I’ve registered hundreds of domain names over the years.

During that time, I bought a domain from virtually every platform in existence. Some experiences were great, others were awful, and the majority fell somewhere in the middle.

Whether you’re buying a domain for the first time or looking for an alternative solution from your last registration, you need to understand that you have options.

Where can you register a domain name? The choices can be segmented into three categories:

1. Domain Registrars
2. Hosting Providers
3. Website Builders

I’ll show you the difference between these options and point out the top platforms within each category. Use this guide to learn the best way to buy a domain name.

1. Domain Registrar

As the name implies, a domain registrar’s primary function is domain name registration. There are some registrars that provide additional services as well, such as hosting plans or website builders. But the best domain registrars specialize as platforms to buy a domain name.

Let’s review four of the top domain registrar services on the market today.

Domain.com

Domain.com is the best domain registrar for first-time and experienced buyers alike. The process is simple, straightforward, and the registrar provides exceptional service.

You can register a .com domain for just $9.99 per year with Domain.com.

During the checkout process, this registrar gives you the ability to buy your domain for up to five years. I love this feature because you won’t have to worry about renewing every year.

When you register a domain, your name and address become available to the public. Domain.com offers privacy and protection for $8.99 per year per domain. If you’re registering a domain under a company name (that’s what I do), you can skip this. Otherwise, you’ll definitely want to add the privacy and protection.

Some domain registrars offer this for free, but it’s worth paying a little extra for the personal privacy.

Domain.com hits with you additional upsells throughout the checkout process. This is pretty standard practice in the domain registrar industry. I’d skip the add-ons. Things like an SSL certificate and SiteLock should come standard from your web hosting provider.

Registering a domain from Domain.com takes less than a minute. It’s the perfect registrar for those of you who plan to buy multiple domain names.

Domain.com also has exceptional 24/7 customer support, making it a top choice for domain transfers as well.

Namecheap

Namecheap is another top choice to consider for domain registration. More than 10 million domains have been registered through this platform.

The process is easy for someone who has never bought a domain before.

Namecheap has .com domains available for $8.88 per year. They also offer free privacy and protection, which is a nice bonus since it’s something you’ll likely need to have.

Like most domain registrars, Namecheap offers a wide range of upsells during the checkout process. Since you’re getting privacy and protection for free, you can skip everything else.

Namecheap has an excellent knowledge base of resources if you need some assistance. Live chat is available 24/7, and their support team provides ticket response times under two hours.

With a simple process, free privacy protection, and outstanding support, Namecheap delivers everything you want and need in a domain registrar.

NameSilo

If you’re looking for a no-frills domain registrar, NameSilo has you covered. As you can see from the screenshot above, their website is very outdated. But this hasn’t stopped them from becoming one of the most popular domain registrars in the world.

Buying a .com domain from NameSilo starts at $8.99 per year. You’ll benefit from bundle discounts if you’re registering more than 50 domains in a single order.

NameSilo lets you search for up to 500 domains simultaneously. You can even upload a list of domains from your computer to save you time.

If the outdated interface doesn’t bother you, NameSilo will be a top choice for those of you who want to buy multiple domains at the same time.

There are barely any upsells during the checkout process. WHOIS privacy and protection is free, and ICANN fees are included in the total. You can be out the door for $8.99 per year per domain.

NameSilo allows you to enable auto renew as well, so you won’t have to worry about the name lapsing if you forget to do so manually.

2. Web Hosting Provider

Every website needs to be hosted. So once you register a domain name, the next step is finding a web hosting provider. With that said, some hosting providers let you register a domain directly from through their platform.

If you’re planning to register multiple domains over time, use a domain registrar. But if you just need one domain, you can save some money by bundling your hosting and registration together.

Bluehost is the best web hosting provider for domain registration bundles. It’s what I recommend the most.

But if you’re set on using another hosting provider, there are a few other platforms that deliver decent deals and service for hosting and domain registration.

Bluehost

Even though Bluehost is a web hosting provider, you can still purchase a domain directly from them without using their hosting services. However, I don’t recommend this.

A .com domain from Bluehost is $11.99 per year. Privacy and protection is $11.88 per year. For the same price, I can register two domains from a domain registrar and still have change to spare.

However, you can get a free domain name from Bluehost if you bundle your domain registration with their hosting services.

The process is extremely simple. Just choose your web hosting plan, and Bluehost will prompt you to register a new domain. If you follow these steps, your domain will be free for the first year.

You’ll still have to pay $11.88 per year for privacy and protection. Bluehost provides a free SSL certificate, one-click WordPress installs, and 24/7 support.

Bluehost is the best web hosting provider on the market today, and it’s the only web host I actually recommend for domain registration.

Dreamhost

Dreamhost is another top consideration for web hosting. While it’s not as popular as their web hosting products, Dreamhost does offer domain registration services.

You can get a .com domain with Dreamhost for $7.99 per year. This includes free privacy and protection. Furthermore, Dreamhost has more than 400 TLDs, with .xyz extensions as low as $0.89 per year.

While $7.99 for a .com domain is definitely a great deal, there is a catch. Your domain will renew at $15.99 per year.

I really can’t justify this price, especially from a platform that specializes in web hosting, not domain registration.

HostGator

HostGator is another well-known web hosting provider. In fact, they rank high on my list of the best cloud hosting services.

In addition to web hosting, HostGator offers a wide range of other services, including a site builder and domain registration.

You can register a .com domain with HostGator for $12.95 per year. While it’s a bit high compared to the domain registrars we reviewed, it’s just the introductory offer. The price actually jumps up to $17.99 per year upon renewal.

Privacy and protection is an additional $14.95 per year. So your initial registration comes to $27.90 and will renew at $32.94 per year.

I could get three domains from Domain.com, Namecheap, and NameSilo, for the same price.

So can you get a domain name from HostGator? Yes, the option is available. But I really don’t see any reason why you would.

SiteGround

SiteGround is one of the most popular and well-known web hosting providers on the market today. The platform also has domain registration services, although I can’t say I recommend it.

You can register a .com domain from SiteGround for $15.95 per year.

That’s nearly double the price of Namecheap’s registration, and there’s still a catch. You’re only able to use SiteGround for domain registration if you have a SiteGround web hosting plan.

So if you wanted to buy a domain from SiteGround and host your site elsewhere, that’s not an option.

For those of you looking to bundle domain registration with web hosting, you’re much better off using Bluehost. With Bluehost, you’ll get a free domain for the first year, which is not available with SiteGround.

3. Website Builder

Most people don’t associate website builders with domain registration.

Similar to web hosting, I normally wouldn’t recommend buying a domain from anywhere other than a registrar. But with that said, there are a handful of site builders offering domain registration services.

These are some of the best website builders to consider for buying a domain name.

Wix

Wix is best known for its simple drag-and-drop website builder. If you don’t know how to code and you’re creating a website from scratch, Wix is a top choice to consider.

You can’t exclusively buy a domain using Wix. You’ll need to bundle your domain registration with their website builder.

With that said, there are two ways to get a free domain with this platform.

Every Wix site comes with a free Wix subdomain. Without spending anything, you can have a domain in the following format:

wixusername.wixsite.com/yourdomain

I don’t recommend this to anyone unless you’re just experimenting with the Wix platform. Once you’re ready to take things to the next level, you’ll need to register your own domain.

Wix also offers a free domain for one year with all paid site builder plans. Privacy and protection is included free as well. You could even bundle your web hosting through them, although I can’t endorse that option.

Squarespace

Squarespace is another one of my favorite website builders. It’s great for beginners and people with an eye for great design.

But like Wix, getting a domain from Squarespace means you’ll have to bundle it with a site-building plan.

All Squarespace annual plans come with a free custom domain name for the first year. WHOIS privacy and protection is included. Additional domains can be purchased between $20 and $70 per year, depending on the extension.

Those prices are outrageous if you compare them to the domain registrars that we reviewed earlier. If you need to buy more than one domain, this is not the platform to do so.

I would only consider registering a domain with Squarespace if you need one domain, you’re using the site builder, and you think it’s easier to purchase everything from one provider. Just know that you could run into problems if you need to transfer your domain and website to another platform in the future.

WordPress

WordPress is the world’s largest CMS platform. We use WordPress here at Quick Sprout to power our website.

This website builder is best for those of who are comfortable with coding and want to get the most out of your site’s content. Although WordPress does have plugins that allow drag-and-drop building capabilities.

You can also use WordPress to buy a domain. The domain will automatically be connected to your website, and renewals get handled through your WordPress account.

While it may be tempting to get a domain directly from WordPress, it’s not the most convenient procedure. You’ll have to go through a six-step process, which includes creating your WordPress account.

Plus, the domain registration is a bit pricey. A .com domain from WordPress costs $18 per year, which is more than double the price of the cheapest domain registrars.

Weebly

Weebly is a website builder geared toward ecommerce sites. Compared to some of the other website builders out there, registering a domain name with Weebly isn’t the worst idea.

Two of Weebly’s premium plans (Professional and Performance) come with a free domain for one year with an annual contract. Those plans start at $12 and $26 per month, respectively.

You can use Weebly to register a domain without a site builder plan. The nice part about using Weebly for domain registration is that you’ll save money by registering for longer periods of time.

• 1 year — $19.95 per year
• 2 years — $16.95 per year
• 5 years — $14.96 per year
• 10 years — $12.57 per year

But even though you can save up to 37% off with an extended registration, the ten-year price is still more expensive than NameCheap, NameSilo, and Domain.com.

How to Find the Best Place to Buy a Domain

With so many options to choose from, finding the best place to buy a domain can be challenging. There are certain features and elements that must be taken into consideration when you’re evaluating a prospective platform to buy a domain.

This is the methodology that we used to narrow the search.

Price and Contract Terms

The price should always be the first thing you look at. If all of these platforms are basically offering the same thing, it makes sense to go with one that’s cost-effective.

Don’t just look at the cheapest extensions. Always compare the prices for .com domains, since that’s what you should be registering.

Look at the length of your contract. Some providers will require a minimum registration period, such as one or two years. Others will offer discounts for long-term registration.

Keep an eye out for additional fees. Most add-ons you’ll be able to ignore. But you’ll definitely want to get WHOIS privacy and protection. This comes free with your registration on some platforms, but others upcharge for it.

Make sure that your contract makes it easy for you to renew your domain. Look for automatic renewals or contracts giving you a grace period after the domain expires, in case you forget to renew manually.

Domain Transfers

If you’re unhappy with your domain registrar, for any reason, you might want to transfer your domain in the future.

You cannot transfer a domain within the first 60 days of registration. However, you’re free to do what you want with your domain after that.

Just make sure that your registrar makes transferring easy for you. Platforms like GoDaddy, have a reputation for throttling down outgoing transfers. So always check customer reviews about the transfer process before you settle.

The best domain registrars make transfers easy and don’t impose any extra fees.

Additional Services

As you’ve seen from this guide, you can get a domain name from a wide range of platforms. Some of those platforms specialize in additional services, like web hosting or website builders.

The ability to bundle multiple services shouldn’t sway you toward one provider over another.

Most providers are better at one service compared to the other. Just because a platform is one of the best website builders, it doesn’t mean they have a flawless domain registration process.

In many cases, domain registration is more expensive from website builders and hosting providers. Some of these platforms let you to buy a domain independently from their primary services, while others force you to bundle everything.

Sometimes it’s worth it to go with a service bundle. For example, Bluehost gives you a free domain for one year when you sign up for a web hosting plan.

Support and User Experience

Registering a domain name shouldn’t be complicated. If a platform is making you jump through hoops, it’s probably best to look elsewhere.

Most of the time, you should be able to register a domain in a minute or two, at most.

If you’re interested in buying dozens or even hundreds of domains simultaneously, look for platforms that support those needs.

In some cases, you may want to request some assistance. Although this usually won’t be required unless you’re transferring a domain. In any event, you’ll want to make sure that the platform provides excellent customer service to assist you with transfers or whatever else you need help with.

Conclusion

There are three main options for buying a domain; domain registrars, web hosting providers, and website builders.

Within each category, you’ll have tons of different providers to choose from.

Buying a domain from a domain registrar will almost always be your best option. These providers specialize in domain registration, so you’ll get the best price, quality, and customer service here. Plus, domain registrars won’t force you to bundle your registration with another service.

Using Bluehost to bundle your domain registration with web hosting is the only time that I’d consider bundling services. That’s because Bluehost gives you a free domain for one year when you sign up for a hosting plan.

Other providers have similar offers, but overall, they fall short in one category or the other.

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Best Business Checking Accounts for 2020

Every business needs a checking account.

Whether you’re running a startup, small business, single-member sole proprietorship, or side hustle, you’ll need to separate your business transactions from your personal finances.

For the most part, a business checking account functions very similarly to a personal checking account. However, business checking accounts typically have extra fees, minimum balance requirements, and monthly transaction limits.

So before you open a new account, it’s important that you find a bank that meets the needs of your business.

Top 10 Best Business Checking Accounts For 2020

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of business checking accounts on the market today. From small local banks to large national chains and online-only banking, there are really only ten accounts that I would consider.

• Chase Total Business Checking
• Citizens Bank Clearly Better Business Checking
• Novo
• TD Business Convenience Checking
• US Bank Silver Business Checking 
• Huntington Unlimited Business Checking
• Navy Federal Business Checking
• Axos Basic Business Checking 
• BBVA Business Connect Checking
• Azlo Business Checking

The majority of these are free business checking accounts. Some do have a monthly fee, but it’s fairly easy to get those waived by meeting reasonable requirements.

I’ll give you an in-depth review of the top business checking accounts below. We’ll cover the top features, benefits, prices, and any potential drawbacks that should be taken into consideration.

The Best Business Checking Account Reviews

Chase Total Business Checking

Chase Total Business Checking is perfect for entrepreneurs and small business owners. You’ll have access to 4,900 branches and 16,000 ATMs throughout the country.

There is a $15 service fee associated with the account. But the fee waived if you maintain a $1,500 minimum daily balance or link a personal Chase checking account.

Top benefits and highlights of Chase Total Business Checking include:

• Unlimited electronic deposits
• 100 free monthly transactions
• Access up to seven years of statements online
• Account alerts
• Online and mobile banking

You can earn $200 by opening a Chase business checking account. Simply deposit $1,000 within the first 20 days, and make five qualifying transactions while maintaining that balance for 60 days.

Overall, this account stands out for its outstanding 24/7 customer support to business owners.

Chase has all of the tools you need to manage your growing business, including some of the best business credit cards on the market today.

Citizens Bank Clearly Better Business Checking

For those of you seeking a free business checking account, look no further than Citizens Clearly Better Business Checking.

You won’t have to worry about meeting any minimum balance requirements because there are no maintenance fees. This makes Clearly Better Business Checking a top choice for business owners who maintain a lower bank balance.

Other top features include:

• 200 free monthly transactions
• Overdraft coverage
• Dedicated business customer support
• Online and mobile banking
• Grant read-only controlled access to your account (for bookkeepers and accountants)

One potential drawback of Citizens Bank is its size. While the company has more than 1,000 branches and 3,100+ ATMs nationwide, most of them are located on the east coast. So if you’ll need to visit a branch, for anything, verify that there is a Citizens Bank near your business before opening an account.

Unlike other business checking accounts, Citizens does not offer a sign-up incentive for Clearly Better Business Checking.

Novo

Novo is an alternative to traditional banking. It’s an online-exclusive business checking account intended for freelancers and entrepreneurs.

I’d recommend Novo to any business owner seeking a straightforward solution with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. You can apply for a Novo account in less than ten minutes online.

These are some of the notable highlights for Novo business checking:

• No minimum balance requirements
• No monthly maintenance fees
• Free ACH transfers
• Free incoming wires
• Free mailed checks

Novo lets you open a new business checking account with just $50.

This is a modern banking solution. You can integrate your account with Zapier, Xero, Slack, and other tools that your small business is currently using.

Like any online-only bank, you can’t walk into a physical branch. So if your business has in-person banking needs, then Novo isn’t for you. However, Novo will reimburse you for ATM fees imposed by other banks. So you’ll still be able to access cash from anywhere without paying an extra fee.

TD Business Convenience Checking Plus

You can open a TD Business Convenience Checking Plus account with just $100. However, you’ll need to maintain a $1,500 daily balance to waive the $25 monthly maintenance fee.

If you link a personal checking account to your Business Checking Plus account, TD Bank counts your combined balance between the two accounts toward the daily minimum. So this is a great choice for business owners who already have an account at TD Bank.

Let’s review some of the account benefits:

• 500 free transactions per month
• Up to $5,000 in cash deposits per cycle
• Overdraft protection
• Online statements and mobile deposit
• Up to four signers

While TD Business Convenience Checking Plus does have a high maintenance fee, you’ll benefit from more free monthly transactions. For comparison purposes, Chase Total Business Checking has a $15 fee for just 100 free transactions each month.

Plus, it’s easy to waive TD’s $25 fee by maintaining a low combined balance between two accounts.

Even though you’re limited to $5,000 free cash deposits each month, you’re only charged $0.25 per $100 thereafter. So an additional $5,000 cash deposited in a cycle ($10,000 total) would cost you $12.50. That’s just 0.13% of your deposits, which is next to nothing.

TD Bank gives you access to other services, like merchant solutions, business loans, and business lines of credit.

US Bank Silver Business Checking

US Bank Silver Business Checking is 100% free. They do impose a $5 monthly fee for paper statements, but you can waive that charge by going paperless.

Here’s an overview of the account benefits:

• 125 free transactions per month
• Remote deposits
• Overdraft protection
• Mobile and online account access
• 50% off first order of checks
• Digital bill pay

One thing that needs to be taken into consideration is the strange wording US Bank uses to limit cash deposits. The account allows 25 “units” of free cash deposits each billing cycle.

After reading the fine print, you’ll learn that a unit is calculated by dividing each deposit by 100 and rounding the value to the closest whole number.

Here’s an example. Let’s say you deposit $920.

920 100 =9.2

Round 9.2 down to 9, and you just used 9 of your 25 credits for the month.

This credit system is a complex way of saying you’ll get up to $2,500 in free cash deposits each billing cycle. So if you’re making cash deposits on a regular basis, this account might not be the best option for you.

Huntington Unlimited Business Checking

Huntington Unlimited Business Checking is a top option for larger organizations. If you have a higher monthly transaction volume, some of the other accounts on our list won’t fit your needs.

The top features and benefits of Unlimited Business Checking from Huntington include:

• Unlimited transactions
• Overdraft protection
• Online and mobile banking
• Free text and email alerts
• Up to $10,000 free cash deposits each month

Huntington does charge a $20 monthly maintenance fee for this account. But it’s waived with a $10,000 combined balance between all of your eligible Huntington Bank accounts.

With an Unlimited Business Checking account, Huntington Bank allows you to choose one of the following bonus services as well:

• Fraud tool
• Huntington deposit scan (up to 50 per month)
• 10% off payroll services
• Two free incoming domestic wires per month
• Returned deposited items (up to 25 per month)

This bank also has a tool called “The Hub” for business checking accounts. It comes with several digital tools for things like cash positioning and cash flow forecasting. The Hub is a great resource for managing your revenue and expenses.

Navy Federal Business Checking

Navy Federal Business Checking is a top choice to consider if you or someone in your family is a member of the armed forces, National Guard, or DoD.

It’s a straightforward and basic account, best for startups with a low transaction volume.

The best part about this account is that it’s 100% free. You’ll never be charged a monthly maintenance or service fee.

Your first 30 non-electronic transactions are free. After that, it’s $0.25 for any in-branch deposits, withdrawals, or transfers. But you can deposit up to 12 checks at the same time, and it will count as a single transaction.

Another reason why I like Navy Federal Business Checking is because they have other banking solutions to meet your needs as the business grows. Once your banking activity increases, consider upgrading to:

• Navy Federal Business Plus Checking
• Navy Federal Business Premium Checking

Those accounts cost $8 and $20 per month, respectively. The Premium Checking maintenance fee is waived if you maintain a $5,000 daily balance.

Axos Basic Business Checking

Axos is another online-only bank. So if you don’t have any in-person banking needs, you should definitely consider Axos Basic Business Checking.

Here’s an overview of the account:

• $1,000 minimum opening deposit
• No monthly fees
• Up to 200 free transactions per cycle ($0.30 per transaction after)
• Surcharge-free ATM network
• Compatible with Quickbooks

The online and mobile banking solutions from Axos are exceptional, as you would expect from an online-exclusive bank. You can deposit a check from anywhere using your mobile device.

Overall, Axos Basic Business Checking is suitable for small business owners with modest banking needs.

BBVA Business Connect Checking

BBVA has free banking solutions for small businesses. Sole proprietors can apply online for a BBVA Business Connect Checking account. Other business types need must apply at a branch.

Here’s an overview of the account advantages and highlights:

• No monthly service charge
• No minimum balance requirements
• Free digital bill pay
• Free online and mobile banking
• $100 minimum opening deposit
• $5,000 cash deposits per month at no charge

BBVA gives you free unlimited transactions every month, sort of. You’ll get two in-branch deposits, and five in-branch withdrawals or processed checks free each month. All other transactions are unlimited at no charge.

You’ll only find BBVA branches in the following states:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• New Mexico
• Texas

However, you’ll have access to a network of 55,000+ ATMs nationwide. That’s because BBVA is an Allpoint partner. There are no ATM fees at Allpoint ATMs and participating 7-Eleven locations.

Azlo Business Checking

Azlo Business Checking is a bit unique compared to the other options on our list. This online-only banking solution is made for freelancers and entrepreneurs.

The company is very straightforward in saying that they are not right for all businesses. Azlo doesn’t accept cash deposits or offer checkbooks. So it’s only suitable for businesses that send and receive digital payments.

With that said, the account definitely has its advantages:

• No monthly fees
• No minimum deposit
• Unlimited transactions
• Create and manage custom digital invoices
• Pay vendors, freelancers, and yourself
• Exceptional mobile banking app
• Apply online in minutes

Azlo integrates with platforms like Stripe, PayPal, Square, QuickBooks, and Xero.

Overall, Azlo is a modern way for freelancers to access their banking needs online. But it’s definitely not suitable for everyone.

How to Find the Best Business Checking Account For You

All business checking accounts are not created equally. The best choice for one business might not be ideal for yours.

This is the methodology that you should use when you’re evaluating business checking accounts. I’ll explain each feature in greater detail below.

Fees

Service fees and monthly maintenance fees are common for business checking accounts. In most cases, these fees fall somewhere in the $10 to $50 range.

But there are still plenty of free business banking solutions. In fact, six of the ten accounts on our list don’t have monthly fees. While the remaining four contain fees, you can easily waive them by maintaining a minimum account balance.

There’s no reason to pay these fees if you can avoid them.

Balance Requirements

Some banks require a minimum opening deposit. So choose a bank with a reasonable opening deposit minimum based on your situation.

If you’re launching a startup and don’t have a ton of cash on hand, you can open some accounts with as little as $50 or $100. Some banks don’t require a minimum opening deposit at all.

In addition to the opening deposit requirement, some accounts will charge for you falling below a certain minimum daily balance. Make sure that your cash flow is enough to maintain your minimum requirements without getting penalized.

Transaction Limits

Personal checking accounts will rarely if ever, cap the number of transactions you can make in a billing cycle. But that’s not the case for most business checking accounts.

Depending on the bank, activities like deposits, withdrawals, and transfers count toward a monthly limit. Some banks will restrict the number of in-person transactions you can make while offering free unlimited electronic transactions.

For the most part, free monthly transaction limits start at 100. TD Business Convenience Checking allows for 500 free transactions per month. Other banks give you unlimited transactions, with a few contingencies.

You’ll pay a small fee for each transaction over your monthly limit. This is usually somewhere in the $0.25 to $0.50 range.

Mobile Banking and Online Accessibility

Every bank offers some way to access your account online or through a mobile app. But with that said, some of these digital solutions are definitely better than others.

Choose a business checking account that lets you deposit checks remotely, set up account alerts, and pay invoices automatically.

I do nearly all of my business banking from a mobile app, and I’m sure you’ll want that convenience as well.

Branch Locations

Some banks are region-specific, while others are large national chains. It’s important to choose a bank near your business location if you need to access a branch for anything.

However, there are several business checking accounts that are online-exclusive. These banks don’t have any physical locations. But those solutions aren’t for everyone. For example, if your business accepts cash, you’ll definitely need access to a physical branch for in-person deposits.

Online-only banking is very popular for freelancers and entrepreneurs working remotely and accepting digital payments.

Additional Banking Services

This may not be important to you immediately, but it’s nice to have a bank that will provide you with additional services as your business grows.

Whether it’s merchant services for credit card processing, additional accounts, or a business loan or line of credit, it’s easier to get these from a bank where you have an existing relationship.

Always look at what else a bank has to offer beyond your immediate checking account needs today.

Conclusion

Every business owner needs a business checking account. But everyone has different banking needs, which is why finding the best business checking solution can be difficult.

These are the top ten best business checking accounts on the market today:

• Chase Total Business Checking — Best checking account for small businesses.
• Citizens Bank Clearly Better Business Checking — Free business checking account with no minimum balance requirements.
• Novo — Best online-only business banking for freelancers and entrepreneurs.
• TD Business Convenience Checking — Up to 500 free transactions each month.
• US Bank Silver Business Checking — Free checking account ideal for businesses with a low monthly transaction volume and cash deposits under $2,500 per month.
• Huntington Unlimited Business Checking — Unlimited transactions best for larger businesses with high cash flow.
• Navy Federal Business Checking — Best for startups and small business owners with ties to the armed forces.
• Axos Basic Business Checking — Online-exclusive bank with no monthly fees.
• BBVA Business Connect Checking — Best business banking for sole proprietors.
• Azlo Business Checking — Best online bank for freelancers accepting and receiving digital payments (no cash deposits).

There’s an account for every type of business on this list. From freelancers and startups to small businesses and larger organizations with high transaction volumes, I’m confident that you can find a checking account from one of the options above.

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